DOYLE, Charles
Source: New Richmond Record 10 Jan 1901 p 5
Charley Doyle who was shot by Joe Douglass at the latter’s home in Crawfordsville a few weeks ago died last Friday night at 12 o’clock at the home of his brother, policeman Elza Doyle. Parrish, the other victim of Douglass’ gun is still alive and may recover but will be stone blind. Following the announcement of Doyle’s death the charge of murder is placed against Douglass and the preliminary trial was to have been held yesterday. Douglass, through his attorney Wm. Swank appeared for the preliminary last Friday but as Parrish nor Doyle were able to appear in court Douglass was sent back to jail not being able to furnish the required bond of $1,000 for his appearance for trial. Parrish’s home is at Richmond, Ind and his mother will try if possible to have him taken home after the preliminary of yesterday
Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star, Jan 7, 1901
William A. Swank appeared as attorney for Joe Douglass at the preliminary before Mayor Elmore and since neither Parrish nor Doyle were able to appear, though the attorney for the defense insisted they be brought in, Douglass was sent back to jail to ruminate over his condition, not being able to give a bond for $1,000 in each case for shooting Doyle and Parrish with intent to kill. Surgeon Ensminger informed the court that neither man was able to appear in court. Douglass was chipper and gay and not a wave of trouble swept across his classic brow. His wife, the woman who got him into all this trouble, was not present at the mayor’s office Friday morning most unlucky of days. Douglass came up handcuffed to officer Jones and he meandered back tied up the same old way. The mother of Parrish was present in court on Friday asking that she might take her son back to Richmond, but this is clearly impossible, as in the interest of justice he must remain here. He is totally blind, and now for the first time is aware of the fact. His mental agony is greater than his physical pain. In fact he is about over his physical sufferings and will soon be able to appear in court. During the past week each day’s report on the condition of Doyle was worse. On Saturday morning when Douglass was told at the jail that Charley Doyle had died during the preceding night he simply grinned and made no response in particular. He ate his breakfast with the usual good appetite. But Parrish was greatly depressed by the news. His mother called on him again and also on the court officials. She will demand that she be allowed to take him back to Richmond next Wednesday after the preliminary and the county will gladly let him go to save the expense of keeping him here - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Sunday Star, Jan 7, 1901-
Charley Doyle died at the home of his brother, Policeman Bizas Doyle, on Friday night at 12 o’clock. Almost two weeks he lingered after the best medical advice said he would surely die. He had every attention that a brother’s care could suggest. To the last he claimed the statement that he was running away from the house when Joe Douglas fired the shot was adhered to most faithfully. His tremendous vitality and robust physical condition made a long but unsuccessful fight and it was not until the last few days that he gave up and acknowledged that nature could not survive the fearful injury he received. Coroner Dennis and Dr. Swope made a post mortem examination. The coroner found that the left lung had a prodigious hole shot through it and that the right lung had filled up with pus. Death was certain and all that medical skill could do had been rendered the man. Piece of cloth in which was wadded a quantity of number six shot was found wedged next the ribs which were indented. No shot had penetrated the stomach and there was no examination of the kidneys as the direction of the shot showed the coroner, as he thought, that none had gone into that part of the body. The funeral will be private and from the home of Elza Doyle this afternoon at 2 o’clock and there will be no services except a brief prayer at the grave by Rev. Henry L. Nave, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Anyone who wishes to see the body of Charles Doyle may do so if they call at the home of Elza Doyle on Simpson Street at any time before 2 o’clock this afternoon (Sunday). - kbz
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly, January 11, 1901
Charley Dolye, died last Friday night at half past twelve o'clock as a result of a gunshot wound inflicted on him by Joe Douglas on the afternoon of December 23. The death occurred at the home of Elsa Doyle, on Simpson street, to which place the injured man had been taken immediately after the tragedy occurred. Doyle sustained the first terrible shock of the wound and for several days seemed to improve somewhat. Dr. Ensminger stated, however, that the injury was such as would eventually prove fatal and so it proved. About the first of the week he began to lose ground rapidly and his intense suffering was relieved only by powerful opiates Friday evening about eight o'clock he began to sink and soon lost consciousness. Dr. Ensminger administered a hypodermic injection and stated that death was a question of only a few hours. At the hour stated the sufferer passed away. It was due to the fact that he was powerfully built and wonderfully nervy that he survived so long as he did. Doyle had realized since Monday that he was doomed and stated that he was ready to die. On Wednesday afternoon he made his dying statement concerning the shooting and was sworn to it. It differed in no material way from the statement made to the coroner a day or so after the affray. It was the story he had told from the first and which he adhered to until death. On Saturday Coroner Dennis and Dr. Swope held an autopsy at the Doyle residence and found that the main portion of the charge of shot was in a wad of clothing in the thoracic cavity. The lower portion of the left lung had been torn away and the lung had not performed its function for some time prior to death. Some of the shot had struck the ribs and were there embedded. The doctors rather expected to find that some shot had punctured the stomach but this did not prove to be the case. A warrant has been sworn out by the prosecutor charging Douglas with murder and he was arrested at the jail Saturday. Last Saturday about seven o'clock turnkey Charley Long informed Douglas that Doyle had died. Douglas made no comment, but simply indulged in one of his characteristic grins. Parrish, when informed, simply gave a groan and said nothing. His mother is quite anxious to take him home to Richmond and will probably be permitted to do so after the preliminary, provided she gives bond for his appearance at the trial. Doyle was buried last Sunday at Oak Hill and the affair was strictly private, only members of the family being present. There were no funeral and the only service was prayer at the grave by Dr. Nave. Charley Doyle's friends keenly regret the tragic end he met. He was a hard working, good hearted young man and was an excellent citizen when not drinking. When drinking, however, his whole nature was changed. During the Spanish war he served in the 16th U. S. infantry and participated in the battle of San Juan Hill. His discharge papers highly commend him as a fine soldier. - thanks Kim
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 17 May 1901
Joe Douglas, charged with the murder of Charley Doyle, is a free man. The jury found that he acted in self defense when he fired and lost no time in finding a verdict in his favor.
After the jury visited the scene of the shooting last Friday they returned to the court room and the arguments were at once begun. Mr. McBroom spoke for the state and was followed by Mr. Swank for the defense. Both men made excellent speeches and brought out the strong points of their respective cases with great force. Court adjourned upon the conclusion of Mr. Swank’s address and convened on Saturday at nine o’clock. Mr. Reeves opened for the state Saturday and made one of his characteristically strong speeches. Mr. Anderson closed for the defense and Mr. Whittington for the state and during their respective addresses there was a lively crashing of timbers and a flying of feathers. Their arguments were of the kind that delights an audience and the court room was packed. It was about noon when Judge West began his instructions to the jury and he was very careful and painstaking in his remarks. The instructions were eminently fair to both sides and were listened to by the jurors with marked attention. At half past twelve he closed and the case was in the hands of twelve good men and true. Before deliberating on the case the jurors had dinner and went into session shortly after one o’clock.
As a matter of fact, the jury reached its decision in the case before 2 o’clock, but owing to the failure to get the lawyers together it was not read until ten minutes to three. A fair sized audience was waiting, having presumed that the jury would not be long in returning and at fifteen minutes to three the prisoner was brought up the back way from the jail, through the alleys, in order to avoid attracting a crowd. He was very pale and manifestly nervous when the jury filed in, but when the verdict was read he smiled all over his face. The foreman of the jury was W. C. Loop, and the verdict simply stated: “We, the jury, find the defendant, Joe Douglas, not guilty as charged.” One of the jury said after the verdict: “We took but two ballots and the first one stood ten to two for acquittal. The next one was unanimous. We felt that we could not bring in any other verdict after hearing the evidence.”
When the verdict was rendered Douglas had but little to say. He is rather thick in the upper story but finally, on the suggestion of some one, arose and shook hands with the jurors, an honor all of them doubtless appreciated. He was turned loose at once but visited the jail to collect some of his effects. -s
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 11 January 1901
Coroner Dennis has completed his inquest in the Doyle case. The examination was conducted Monday in the small court with deputy prosecutor McBroom and W. A. Swank present. The verdict will be to the effect that Doyle came to his death from a gun shot wound inflicted by Joe Douglas
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 10 May 1901
*Trial of Joe Douglas for killing Charley Doyle is included in this issue.
Not Guilty
J Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday, 17 May 1901
Joe Douglas, who on Saturday was acquitted of the murder of Charley Doyle, will not remain in Crawfordsville. He states that he has a job in Fountain County and will go there in a few days. He further states that he will desert the disreputable wife who has been the cause of all his troubles. His relatives have insisted strongly on this point. On Saturday evening he went home with one of his brothers and spent Sunday along Black Creek. Before he left the jail he was given back his trusty shot gun and has probably cut a couple of notches in the stock before this. Parrish has been returned to his home in Richmond by his mother. Helpless as an infant, he will hereafter be a burden on her. As she acquires her money with no great exertion, however, the burden will probably not be so great as might be expected. The Parrishes were not at all pleased with the verdict.